Eating My Way Through Bombay.

Sick Devika, sick. Your last post was in August. It's October now. Let's not even get into the whole Cake Challenge debacle. Remember that? When you promised your readers, no matter how few, that your next post would be up soon and (wait for it) have lots of cake? What happened? Where the hell have you been? Where's the discipline? Where's the commitment? What have you become?

SORRY.

Yes I do remember The Cake Challenge because it's still kind of on. The victims I lured in have also started asking questions. They've eaten a tonne of cake, to what end? Can I please just have an extension? Can I fill you in on what I've been up to instead? So maybe, MAYBE you'll be a bit more understanding? I finished my second term at culinary school in September and went back home after 6 months for a twenty-day break. Twenty days of waking up at noon, getting a up of chai handed to me, wearing freshly laundered clothes without having to launder them myself and basically melting in the unholy Bombay heat. I'm quite anal when it comes to making plans and I need to have lists. Lists make me feel under control. Lists calm me down. HENCE, coming to the title of this post; I made a list of places I wanted to go to in Bombay, old haunts and new arrivals that I'd heard so much about. Of course I have pictures, how can you even ask?

Let's begin, shall we?



MADRAS CAFE.

Of course I've been here before. I dream about this Upma Podi every morning cause it's just that good. A better upma, you'll never eat.

 HAKKASAN

I was lucky enough to be at home for my mother's birthday which we celebrated at Hakkasan. Incredible meal. All these dishes were outstanding, try them and you'll know what I mean. I'd pick Hakkasan over an Asian restaurant at a 5 star hotel every time.

Golden fried soft shell crab, flaked almonds, curry leaves. GAH.

Hakka braised pork belly with supreme soya sauce.
Perfectly cooked pork, gnarly, sticky sauce, candied kumquats.

Steamed Indian Salmon with a homemade chilli sauce. You can tell by how beautifully flaky it is JUST how well it's cooked.

SODABOTTLEOPENERWALA

The quirky new take on Bombay's old school Irani cafes, a lot of items on this table were a hit and a miss but the hits were out of the park. Went to far with the sports analogy didn't I? Have the Salli Mutton, the Berry Pulao & the Falooda, I vouch for them.

Four people, infinite food.

Falooda with real saffron strands dude!

THE FATTY BAO

I'd heard so much about this place that I had to go see what the fuss was about, and let me tell you, I wasn't highly impressed. Most of the food ordered was highly average, a few things however, stood out. What were they you ask? Why I've taken pictures of just them!

BBQ pork belly, green apple kimchi, hoisin sauce, sesame oil & scallions. Couldn't really fault it.

Tempura sea bass with curry mayo and pickled Chinese cabbage.
Hey, at least their baos are good!

PRAKASH

If you don't live around Shivaji Park and don't have any Marathi friends, you'll probably not have heard of this place. Completely old school, no frills, authentic & cheap. They don't even have paper napkins! You have to share tables with strangers, take a Marathi person along to engage with your waiter and try and catch him before he swoops past. You haven't lived in Bombay till you've eaten Misal from Prakash and in my case, Sabudana Vada as well.

Misal

Sabudana Vada with the best peanut chutney.

 THE BOMBAY CANTEEN

After the amount I'd heard about how good this place was, I just had to try it out. Trust me, it wasn't easy. I tried making reservations a few times but always struck out. Finally on an afternoon most unexpected, my friend and I walked in and were seated almost immediately and how glad I was that I didn't give up. Excellent menu, great food and kicking vibe. Go here.

Excuse the gross picture but I had to put it up cause these pulled pork tacos in a thepla were the bomb.

Mandeli fry, tamatar chutney. Best.

Cheese stuffed grilled Bhavnagari chillies. So hot, so delicious.

"My Uncle's Coconut Mutton Curry" with lotus root, lemongrass & fried onion masala. Lots of good, tender pieces of mutton make this curry even more appealing.

Coffee Rasgulla with salted caramel ice cream and peanut chikki. I love it when desserts are creative and interesting and  when the flavour combinations work out! 

Okay? Convinced? THIS has been the reason behind my disgusting delay and petulant procrastination. Forgive me this time? You always do :)

Now that I'm back to the grind, maybe my discipline will act up again, maybe not. Either way, I will surely be back with what I promised, cake and even more deliciousness.

Until then, hope you enjoy this post!

xoxo
D